Music Fundamentals A Balanced Approach

Second Method of Counting Compound Meter

In the second methodof counting rhythms in compound meter, the lower number of the time signature indicates
the type of note serving as each beat. In a 6/8 time signature where the main beat is an eighth note, there are six
eighth notes. Beginning with the first eighth note, every fourth eighth note is accented:

Let’s look again at “Mirrors” by Ross Lee Finney to count using the eighth note beat. Notice that each of the
eighth notes forming the two main beats is given one count, and the first and fourth counts are accented.

TRACK 68

Listen to “Mirrors” by Ross Lee Finney. To establish the tempo, two measures will be given before the

piece begins: count “ 1 —2—3— 4 —5—6.” Continue to count out loud as you listen to the piece. Feel the

two stronger main beats in each measure. Notice that counting “Mirrors” using the second method will

result in a performance identical to that using the first method of counting the main beats.

In compound duplemeter there are six eighth notes in a measure with the first and fourth eighth notes
accented, creating two main beats. In compound triplemeter, beats 1, 4, and 7 are accented; in compound
quadruplemeter, beats 1, 4, 7, and 10 are accented.

Exercise 2—Class Exercise

Utilizing the eighth note beat, count and clap the rhythms below. Count one measure before beginning to clap.
At first, do this at a slow tempo. Then count at a faster tempo.

195

RHYTHM: COMPOUND METER

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6